Bette Peoples, executive director of the Grapevine Center in Butler leads the candle procession at the annual Remembrance & Celebration of Life event Wednesday at the Carousel Shelter at Alameda Park in Butler Township. Peoples’ son was among the eight Grapevine Center clients who died within the past year and were honored at the event. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — Heartfelt words of remembrance for eight people who died over the last year were shared by those missing them, but a message of hope soared high above the grief on Wednesday at the Grapevine Center’s annual Remembrance & Celebration of Life event.

Held in the Carousel Shelter at Alameda Park as leaves fell through shafts of sunlight, the event saw keynote speaker Steve Treu, author of “Hope is Dope,” deliver a positive message to the 75 people who attended.

Treu said although he has worked in heroin addiction and attended the funerals of 50 people who did not recover, he leans on his Christian faith and an upbeat attitude to fend off sadness.

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